Selector valve



July 25, 1944.

G. T. DOWNEY 'SELECTOR VALVE'v s shees-shet 1 Filed March 16, 1943 "a /6 Y I grwm/vbob July 25,1944.\ G. T.Y DOWNEY E 2,354,582A

' SELECTOR VALVE y y Filed March 16, 1945 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 jj i July 25, 1944. G, T, DQwNr-:Yv 2,354,582

SELECTOR VALVE Filed Marh 16,v 1945 E' sheets-sheet 5 owfney.

Patented July 25, 1944 SELECTOR VALVE I George T. Downey, Corry, Pa., assignor to Aero Supply Mfg. Go. Inc., -Corry, Pa.

Application.Marchl 16, 1943, Serial No. 429,379

9"Claims'. (Cl. 251-4132) This invention relates to a valve assembly.

An object of this invention is to provide a valve assembly including a valve housing having a plurality of intake ports and a common outlet port, the intake ports being provided with springpressed valves, and the housing being provided with a valve operator for moving a selected one .of the several valves in open position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve assembly wherein the housing may be formed out of plastic material so that a minimum amount of metal will be necessary.

A further object of this invention is to provide in van assembly of this kind removable valve cages which are so constructed and arranged as to facilitate the repair or replacement ofthe valve parts without taking the entire assembly apart.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved valve member and a seal element for engagement with ythe valve seat formed with the housing, the valve member being formed as part of the valve cage and the housing and cage being so formed as to hold the cage against rotation while permitting sliding movement of the cage.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination andr arrangement of parts as will be more specifically refered to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Figure l is a plan view partly broken away and in section of a valve assembly constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a detail rear elevation partly in section of the assembly.

Y Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3' of Figure 2'.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the several positions of the valves in this assembly.

Referring to the drawings the numeral Il) designates generally a housing which is formed 'of a cylindrical body I I having formed integral therewith a plurality of radially arranged cylindrical valve housings I2, I3 and` I4. A rear head or plate I5 is secured to the rear ofthe body II III 4 and is formed with a reduced diameter extension I6 engaging interiorly of the body II. A front head or rplate .,I'I is disposed at the front end of the body I l and is formed with a reduced diameterv extension I8 extending interiorly: of the body II. .'A p-lurality of fastening members I are ex.-

tended through vthe two heads I5 and I'l on the outsideof the ibody I I, and preferably cylindrical spacer .sleeves 2l] are disposed about the fastening membersr I9 between the two heads I5 and Il as shown in Figure 1. l p p,

The boy II at the rear end thereof is formed with-an annular groove 2i within which a ringshaped sealing member 22 is adapted to engage. The head I5is adapted to bear against lthe sealing member 22 so that tightening of the fastening members I9 will seal the head I5 at therear of the body I I.y The |body II at the forward. end thereofy is` provided with an annular groove .or channel 23 within which a ring-shapedsealing member 2li-fis vadapted to engage, so that the forward headv I7- will be Vsealed relative tothe body I I upon tightening Vof the fastening membersi.

vThe valve housings I2, VI3, and I4 constitute intake housings for connection to a source of fluid supply/and the fluid entering the body II through a. selected one of the valve-housings :is adapted to -be vdischarged from the body I-I through anoutlet member generally designated as 25. lThe outlet member 25 comprises a cylindrical body 25 havingy a threaded bore 21 therethrough, and the body 26 snugly engages ina central opening 28 formed in the body I5.` The body 26 is formed at its outer end with a iiange 29 adapted to bear against the. outer side of the head I5,l and a sealing ringSZIis adapted to engage in confronting grooves 3l and 32'carried by the xbody 26 and the head I5 respectively. v The body 26 is also formed with an inner groove 33 within which a split locking ring 34 is adapted to releasably engage. The locking ring 34 yis adapted to -bearagainst the inner portion of the head I5 and to maintain the sealing member 30 under compression so as to provide a liquid-tight joint between the coupling member 25 and the head I5.`

The valve housings I2, I 3 'and' Is have mounted therein valvestructures which are of identical constructions and the detailed description ofithe valve structure in one housingl will apply equally as well to the valve structures in the other housings. VThe valve housing I2 is'formed` with an oblong or substantially elliptical inner surface `35, and is ,also provided with an inner wall o r3 valve The cage 38 is formed with a cylindrical inner surface 40 within which a spring 4I is mounted. The cage 38 at its inner end is provided with a valve member generally designated asv 42. The valve member 42 comprises a valve body `43 `which has a diameter such as to permit the body 43 to slidingly engage in the opening 31. A flange 44 is formed integral with the body 43 andis adaptyed to engage the outer side of the seat or wall 36 when the valve member 42 is in a sealing'position. The body 43 is provided with an annular groove 45, and a ring-shaped gasket or sealing member 46 is mounted in the groove 45 and is adapted to contact with the edge of the opening 31 when the cage 38 is in a port closing position under the action of the' spring 4I, The valve member 42 has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the cage 38 and is secured to the inner end of the cage 38 by means of integral supporting radial arms 41.

A coupling member 48 is secured to the outer end of the valve housing I2 by fastening members 49, and includes a coupling body 50 formed with an outer flange I. The body 50 is formed with an annular groove 52 within which a resillent sealing ring 53 is adapted to engage. The body 56 is provided with an internally threaded bore or 4port 54 so that the coupling member 48 may be'connected to one end offa fluid'supply pipe. `A spider 55 is disposed within the cage 38, and includes a central body 56 having a plurality of radially arranged and outwardly inclined arms 51 formed integral therewith. Thefarms 51 also Ahave formed integral therewith obtusely disposed outer arms 58 against which the outer end of the spring 4I is adapted tol engage. The provision of the inward offsetting of the central body l56 of the spider 55 provides a limiting means for limiting the outward movement of the cage 38. The valve member 42 in the center thereof has secured thereto a Valve .guiding stem 59 which at its inner end is threaded as at 60 into-a boss 6I formed on the outer side of the valve member 42. A split ring or retainer 62 is mounted on the stem 59 adjacent the outer end thereof so as to hold the cage assembly, including the cage member 38, the spring 4I and the spider 55, in assembled position before the couplin member 48 is secured to the housing I2.

The valve member 42 has formed integral with the inner end thereof a cam engaging lug 63. The lug 63, as shown in Figure 2, is formed with a convex inner end 64 which is adapted to engage a cam 65. The cam 65 is mounted on a cam shaft 66 which is journalled through an opening 61 formed in the head I1. The cam shaft66 is provided with a reduced polygonal stud 68,* and the cam shaft 66 is also formed with a round stud 69 extending inwardly from the polygonal stud 68, and an annular groove is formed in the re-v duced stud 69. A washer or clamping plate 1I is mounted on the reduced stud 69, and is held in clamping position against the inner face 'of the cam 65 by means of a split removable locking ring 12 which engages in the annular groove 10. The inner end 69 of the cam shaft 66 is journalled in a bearing 13 which is secured to or formed integral with a pair of inwardlyprojecting arms 14 carried by or formed integral with the outlet body 26.

The cam shaft 66 has secured to the outer end thereof a coupling yoke which is adapted to have secured thereto an operating handle whereby the shaft 66 may be manually rotated to effect engagement of the cam 65 with a selected lug 63.

.The head I1 in the outer side thereof is formed with an annular channel or groove 16, and a ring-shaped sealing member 11 is seated in the groove 16 and engages about the shaft 66. A

, seal compressing washer or plate 18 is mounted on the shaft 66 between the yoke 15 and the outer side of the head I1 and is adapted to bear against the sealing member 11. The washer or seal compressing member 1B is held against movement endwise of the shaft 66 by means of a split locking ring 19 engaging in an annular groove formed in the cam shaft 66.

The cam shaft 66 is adapted to be held in a selected position by means of an index plate 8| which is mounted on the shaft 66 within the housing I0. The plate 8| is held against rotation relative to the shaft 66 by means of opposing pairs of fingers 82 which are struck inwardly from the plate 8l and engage on opposite sides of a plate locking pin 83 which is extended dlametrioally through the shaft 66. The plate 8l is formed with a plurality ofr inwardly offset detents 84 within which balls 85 are adapted to partly engage. The balls 85 also engage in elongated inwardly opening recesses 86 which are formed in the inner side of the head I1. The plate BI is constantly urged outwardly by means of a spring 81 mounted on the shaft 86 and bearing at its inner end against the cam member 65. The outer end of the spring 81 bears against a U- shaped member 88 which straddles the pin 63 and has the parallel legs thereof bearing against the inner side of the plate 8 I.

In the use and operation of this valve assembly, the cam shaft 66 may be rotated to engage a selected lug 63 for opening the desired valve structure.' When the lug 63 is engaged by the cam 65 the valve member 43 will be moved outwardly off of the seat 36 and the spring 4I will beplacedunder compression. The stem 59 will slidingly move outwardly through the center p0rtion 56 ofthe spider 55. The fluid may then flow from the interior of the valve housing I2 into the body I I and then between the arms 14 and out through outlet port 21.

The valve assembly hereinbefore described may be constructed in great part out of plastic material, and this material may include the construction of the housing I0 including the body I I, the valve housings I2, I3 and I4 and the heads I5 and I1. The remaining portions of the valve assembly may be made out of metal or other suitable material. This valve assembly is designed for use with airplanes for regulating the flow of gasoline from remote supply tanks to one or more engines. The valve `assembly is so vconstructed that it` may be readily taken apart for repair and any leakage in the valve members may be overcomeby inserting new resilient valve gaskets 46'. This feature eliminates the necessity of regrinding the valve members and valve seats.

What is claimed is:

`l. A valve assembly comprising a housing formedfof a-cylindrical body, a radially arranged cylindrical valve housing extending from said body, front and rear heads for said body, said rear head having an outlet port, means securing said heads to said body, said valve housing being formed with a substantially oval-shaped inner side, a valve cage slidable in said housing and formed with an oval-shaped outer side and a cylindrical inner side, a valve seat carried by the inner end of said housing having a port therethrough, a disc-shaped valve member, radial arms integral with said valve member and said cage, said valve member loosely engageable in said port and having an annular groove, a flange carried by said valve member for engagement with the outer side of said seat to limit the inward movement of said valve member, a spring constantly urging said valve member inwardly, a cam engaging lug carried by said valve member and projecting through said port into said first body, a cam shaft rotatably carried by said heads, and a cam xed on said cam shaft, rotation of said shaft effecting movement of said cage and valve member to open position.

2. A valve assembly comprising a housing formed of a hollow body having an outlet port, a valve housing extending from said body, said valve housing having a substantially oval-shaped inner side and an inner outletl port, an ovalshaped Valve cage slidable in said valve housing,

a valve member carried by the inner end of said.

cage slidably engageable in said inlet port, the outer side of said inlet port constituting a valve seat, said Valve member having an annular groove therein, an annular resilient sealing member seated in said groove, a spring constantly urging said cage and valve member inwardly to port closing position, a cam engaging lug fixed to said valve member and extending inwardly of said body through said inlet port, and rotatable cam means carried by said rst housing engageable with said lug for moving said valvemember outwardly to open position.

3. A valve cage assembly comprising a tubular cage, a valve member at the inner end of said cage, means supporting said valve member concentrically of said cage, a lug xed to said valve member and extending therefrom, a spring within said' cage, a spider formed with ay central inwardly offset part and spring retaining arms engaging the outer end of said spring, a centrally disposed stem carried by said valve member and loosely engaging through the central offset of said spider, and a split ring engaging about the outer portion of said stem.

4. A valve cage assembly comprising a tubular cage, a Valve member at the inner end of said cage, said member having an annular groove, a sealing ring seated in said groove and projecting laterally from said member, 'a spring in said cage, a spring retaining spider engaging Athe outer end of said spring-and having a central opening, an outwardly extending stem xed to said member and loosely engaging through said opening in said spider, and a split ring about the outer portion of said stem.

5. A valve structure comprising a housing having an outlet port and an intake housing, and a cage assembly in said intake housing, said cage assembly comprising a tubular cage, said cage and intake housing being so constructed and arranged that said cage will be held against rotary movement, a valve member at the inner end of said cage, said member having an annular groove, a sealing ring seated in said groove and projecting laterally from said member, a spring in said cage, a spring retaining spider engaging the outer end of said spring and having a central opening, an outwardly extending stem fixed to said member and loosely engaging through said opening in said spider, and a split ring about the outer portion of said stem.

6. A valve structure comprising a housing having an outlet port and an intake housing, a cage assembly in said intake housing, said cage assembly comprising a tubular cage, a valve member at the intake end of said cage, means supporting said valve member concentrically of said cage, a lug iixed to said valve member and extending therefrom, a spring within said cage, a spider formed withva central inwardly oiset part and spring retaining arms engaging the outer end of said spring, acentrally disposed stem carried by said valve member and loosely engaging through the central oiset of said spider, a split ring engaging about the outer portion of said stem, a coupling member secured to the outer end of said intake housing bearing against said spider to thereby hold said spring under tension and constantly urge said Valve member to closed position, and rotatable cam means in vsaid first housing for holding said valve member in open position.

7. In a valve structure including a Ahousing formed with intake housing and an outlet port, a wall at the inner end of said intake housing having an opening communicating with` the interior of the housing, a valve assembly slidable in said' intake housing, said assembly including a tubular cage, a valve member iixedly carried by the inner end of said cage adapted, when in closed position, to engage within said opening, and spring means constantly urging said valve member to closed position, said cage and said intake housing being so arranged and constructed as to hold said cage against rotary movement.

8. In a valve structure including a housing formed with intake housing and an outlet port, a wall at the inner end of said intake housing having an opening communicating with the interior of the housing, a valve assembly slidable in said intake housing, said assembly including a tubular cage, a valve member xedly carried by the inner end of said cage adapted, when in closed position, to engage within said opening, and spring means constantly urging said valve member to closed position, said intake housing and said cage having an oval conguration whereby said cage will be held against rotary movement.

9. In a valve structure including a housing formed with intake housing and an outlet port,

- a wall at the inner end of said intake housing f ring-shaped sealing member carried by said valve member, and spring means constantly urgingV said valve member to closed position, said cage and said intake housing being so arranged and constructed as to hold said cage against rotary movement.

GEORGE T. DOWNEY. 

